Supporters of Chick-fil-A are eating at the restaurant Wednesday to show their support for the company following a controversy over an executive's comments about same-sex marriage.

A long line formed at the restaurant inside Jordan Creek Town Center at noon Wednesday. It stretched from the front door through the food court and up to the restaurant's counter, reported KCCIs Marcus McIntosh.

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About noon numbers were estimated to be a couple hundred people, but Jordan Creek officials said the line surged to more than 1,500 later on.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press last month that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family."

That unleashed a torrent of criticism from gay rights groups and others, who have called for boycotts and efforts to block the chain from opening new stores.

Same-sex marriage supporters are planning "Kiss Mor Chiks" for Friday, when they are encouraging people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country and kiss each other.

Iowa has six Chick-fil-A locations including one in West Des Moines.

In addition to the location inside Jordan Creek Town Center, the chain has purchased a 1.44-acre lot at 6555 Mills Civic Parkway, near the Kohl's store, the Des Moines Business Record reported in February. The location would be the only drive-thru restaurant for the chain in Iowa.